KLEINFELTERSVILLE &GT;&GT; The wild, secluded acreage that comprise the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area can be a double-edged sword — it's the very remoteness of the area that brings out the criminal nature of some people.

Mix 6,254 acres with a stretched-thin police force and no routine patrols, and you've got problems, according to the conservation officer in charge of the area.

Greg Graham, the Southeastern Region wildlife conservation officer of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, spoke to about 50 people Tuesday night in the Middle Creek visitors' center about crime — specifically, what's going on, how to help the police and whom to call with information. Game Commission Deputy Mike Andrew was also on hand to answer questions.

"Middle Creek is not unique for this type of (criminal) activity," said Jim Binder, manager of Middle Creek. "Anytime you have a relatively remote area, you'll have much the same thing. It goes on at state game lands, state parks. ... There's criminal mischief, there's vandalism, but for the most part, when you come here, you're not in any danger."

Advertisement

It doesn't help that Middle Creek is on the border of Lebanon and Lancaster counties, with neither jurisdiction taking full control, Graham explained. For Pennsylvania State Police to respond, they either have to come from Lancaster City or Jonestown, an hour's drive away.

"We're on the fringe of the county territories," he said. "We're always happy to see state police, but we don't see them often enough."

The Northern Lancaster Regional Police Department will respond if called, but it doesn't do routine patrols, Graham said.

Assigned to the region in January 2013, Graham said he's covered two suicides, one murder, a serious head-on collision, a fatality involving a drunk driver, poaching, drug activity, underage drinking, property damage and more, like the burglarized safe from a Berks County business that was found at the wildlife area.

"The people who are here at Middle Creek for the right reasons shouldn't have to deal with the people who are here for the wrong reasons," Graham said.

Binder, who's been the on-site manager for the past 17 years, said crime isn't on the increase, but it "ebbs and flows" with the young people in the region.

Sylvia Heagy of Stillwater Lane in Heidelberg Township said she has had enough of the all-terrain vehicles driving at high speed and damaging the land.

"All that four-wheeling is tearing up the place," Heagy said. "Along the Hopeland Road, they make huge ditches. It's a nuisance."

Showing the group PowerPoint photos of deep ruts gouged into the land by the ATVs, Graham explained that the ruts are more than unattractive — they're a danger to a number of species of salamanders and frogs who lay their eggs in shallow ponds and puddles. Vehicles driven through those puddles destroy the creatures' eggs, he said.

"It takes a long time for nature to repair that," Graham said, referring to the ruts. "It's not only unsightly — it can increase sedimentation in streams."

Poachers shooting at deer at night is another problem, he said.

"If you hear gunshots at night, call us," he added. "If you see or hear inappropriate activity, call the agency where you live or call us."

The Game Commission does use officers in covert activity, and they have nabbed a number of offenders, Graham said.

"We do make arrests, but we're spread pretty thin, and we can't be everywhere at once," he said. "I'm interested in everybody's safety, and I'm interested in protecting the property."

The conservation officer said he wanted to help bridge the gap between the Game Commission and nearby residents.

"Some significant safety issues should be addressed," he added.

Graham said that the men who committed the murder last winter were on the state game lands at least twice, "driving right by your homes," he told the audience.

Middle Creek began in the late 1970s with federal funding to create a wetlands area for waterfowl. In recent years, huge numbers of snow geese have been migrating to the area and, in turn, huge numbers of people turn out to see them.

"Middle Creek is a well-known area and, unfortunately, with the numbers of people visiting, it's impossible to go through all the areas and not find somebody (doing something illegal)," Graham said.

While there are activities like hiking and bird-watching, there's also garbage dumping and drug dealing on the grounds, he said.

Recently, Millstone Road, near the visitors' center, was found strewn with garbage. A piece of paper found in the trash that identified the individual led to his arrest — and a $250 fine.

The number to call of the Southeast Region of the Game Commission is 610-926-3136.

With a serious matter, Graham advised residents to call emergency dispatch, or 911.